When the Buddha was speaking with Sariputta about the motives and fruits of giving, he said,

"... instead of thinking, 'When this gift of mine is given, it makes the mind serene. Gratification & joy arise,' he gives a gift with the thought, 'This is an ornament for the mind, a support for the mind.' He gives his gift — food, drink, clothing, a vehicle; a garland, perfume, & ointment; bedding, shelter, & a lamp — to a priest or a contemplative. What do you think, Sariputta? Might a person give such a gift as this?"

and the sutta continues on to say:

"... with the thought, 'This is an ornament for the mind, a support for the mind' — on the break-up of the body, after death, he reappears in the company of Brahma's Retinue. Then, having exhausted that action, that power, that status, that sovereignty, he is a non-returner. He does not come back to this world."

Could someone elaborate on the meaning of ornament for the mind, a support for the mind?

It means that the person recognizes that the object is a fetter, an attachment.

The "self", which is a construct of the mind, is non-self. It is not us, and we are not it. This self blinds us to reality; it is our Mara, our Satan, our Hades. Cast it out and behold the path to freedom.(Visit http://www.BodhiBox.com for a free Buddhist e-mail account, while you're still attached to the 'net...)

Stephen wrote:It means that the person recognizes that the object is a fetter, an attachment.

I believe it to be that the mind is gladdened and made happy on account of the wholesome mind state of generosity. That this thought will be the support and cause for a heavenly future rebirth.

'This is an ornament for the mind, a support for the mind' — on the break-up of the body, after death, he reappears in the company of Brahma's Retinue. Then, having exhausted that action, that power, that status, that sovereignty, he is a non-returner. He does not come back to this world.